“It has always kind of been its own little animal,” Crocker said of the space. “Why utilize it on occasion when I could have one of the best Richmond restaurants in 2013 right next to us?” (Richmond Magazine named Mint one of Richmond’s best new restaurants of 2013.)

Crocker said previous Mint owner Amy Ayers no longer has a stake in the business but would not go into details about the deal. Ayers could not be reached for comment.

Crocker said he and Mitchell often crossed paths in the Fan, where Crocker and various partners own Jorge’s Cantina, Lady N’Awlins Cajun Cafe, the original F.W. Sullivan’s and Uptown Market & Deli.

The new Mint and F.W. Sullivan’s will be run separately but will share back-of-the-house resources.

Mitchell said that Ayers remains the landlord of the Main Street property and that she plans to bring the Charlottesville-based Continental Divide, a Tex-Mex restaurant, into the space.

Ayers, who also owns Julep’s, re-launched and rebranded Mint with Mitchell in the Fan in summer 2013. The Fan restaurant will have its last day March 2.

“I did the best thing possible to keep Mint alive in Richmond,” Mitchell said. “We’re not changing our program. We’re just changing locations.”

Although Mitchell and Mint are leaving the Fan, he said they might not be gone for long.

“Mint is going to be a big brand,” Mitchell said. “I feel obligated to bring it back to the Fan.”